National Society Development Technical Lead – East and Southern Africa
Job LevelLevel 5Job reference No.Role reviewDirectorate InternationalService/FunctionProgrammes & PartnershipsReports toSenior National Society Development AdvisorLocationNairobi, KenyaContract 2 yearsAccountable toPresident SRCS & NSD Steering Committee for Somalia Administrative management line to Regional Representative ESA
Scale and scope of role
Direct reportsN/AIndirect reportsN/ABudgetary responsibility / accountabilityGBP 170,000 (annual for Somalia) Advisory responsibilities to Ethiopia, Kenya, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Madagascar RCAccountability for other resourcesReach and impact
Extend technical and coordination support to Red Cross/ Red Crescent National Societies in East and Southern Africa with special focus on Somalia and Ethiopia, with support to Kenya, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Madagascar as required. This involves technical support and coordination of a portfolio of BRC and FCDO funded programmes focussing on National Society Development and promoting BRC’s approach to localised models of partnership.
Taking a leading role in supporting BRC Partnership reassessment and review processes in East and Southern Africa and creating awareness within BRC as well as the national societies on the Localisation agenda and the ongoing development and roll out of BRC’s Localisation Approach.
Context
We help anyone, anywhere in the UK and around the world to get the support they need if crisis strikes: connecting human kindness with human crisis. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over. We help them to recover and move on with their lives. We are part of the Red Cross and Red Crescent global humanitarian network.
Our Values and Principles
Our values (compassionate, courageous, inclusive and dynamic) underpin everything that we do. As a member of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the British Red Cross is committed to, and bound by, its fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Diversity
At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the right people to help us provide support to millions of people affected by crisis. We want out team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Diversity is something we celebrate, and we want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the British Red Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.
Directorate overview Within International Directorate of the British Red Cross (BRC), the Global Programmes and Partnerships Department provides oversight of our programme work and our long-term capacity strengthening partnerships and disaster management support. The department works in partnership not only externally with other National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) but also internally within a matrix relationship of technical advisers and policy professionals in other teams. The British Red Cross (BRC) East and Southern Africa (ESA) team works bilaterally, multilaterally and in consortia with National Society (NS) Partners across the sub-regions. Two country cluster offices are located in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Purpose of the role The position will sit within the East Africa team, based physically in the Nairobi office, and will be responsible for providing technical support and coordination to the National Society Development (NSD) Plans of the National Societies in Somalia (60%), Ethiopia, Kenya, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Madagascar (40% split as necessary). The National Society Development Technical Lead will support the leadership of each National Society to ensure coordination of contributions to the NSD Plan across the Movement. For Ethiopia, the National Society Development Technical Lead will work closely with the FCDO Programme Compliance and NSD Lead Ethiopia to ensure that the NSD priorities identified through the Due Diligence Assessment and funded by the FCDO EC2R programme are implemented effectively.
Main responsibilities
National Society Development Support
Work closely with the National Societies of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Madagascar to support them to design and implement their National Society Development Plans, as per agreed objectives, indicators and milestones.
Undertake assessments, analysis of data and make recommendations to the NS, addressing challenges and opportunities.
Support partner NS with the development and implementation of their one-NSD plans.
Technical & advisory support
Support the leadership of our partner NS, to facilitate and mobilize Movement and external technical expertise to support them with the review of policies, processes, systems and structures as required, in close coordination with the IFRC NSD counterpart(s) and relevant BRC technical advisors.
Work closely with the Safeguarding technical advisor to incorporate safeguarding activities into the NSD plans of our partner organisations.
Work with the leadership of the partner NS to identify NSD priorities where BRC can add value including the provision of appropriate advice/coaching to the NS counterparts, as required.
NSD funding Management and NSD learning
Oversee BRC contribution to the SRCS NSD plan including financial support, ensuring required documentation is provided, appropriate fund management monitoring progress, and the production and sharing of requisite financial and narrative reporting to ICRC etc.
Work with NS partners and BRC MEAL Advisor to develop an agreed NSD monitoring and reporting process with partners, based on the NSD MEL Framework.
Maintain a good understanding of reputational risks and potential integrity issues affecting the NSs, sharing with all stakeholders as necessary.
Identify organisational and NSD learning within BRC, NS supported by BRC as well as the wider Movement for internal and external sharing.
Supporting our National Society partners with developing outcome oriented NSD plans and conducting impact measurement case studies.
BRC Localisation agenda
Engage and support BRC commitment to work with the IFRC and other Movement partners to influence the development of Movement-wide localised models which genuinely shift power, including through its active engagement with the ‘Network Ways of Working’ process and joint research with IFRC and ICRC to demonstrate how National Society Development helps improve local action.
Actively play a role in influencing localisation practices across East and Southern Africa, enhancing the understanding of the BRC Localisation approach for BRC staff and BRC’s NS partners.
Support BRC with the delivery of Partnership Reviews across East and Southern Africa.
Actively support influencing of localisation practices across RCM network in East and Southern Africa , promoting the understanding of Partnership Framework approaches for BRC staff and National Society partners.
Cross-cutting
Actively contribute to our culture of safeguarding and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Ensures inclusive practice and promotesdiversity.
Championing and contributing to localisation ambition of supporting and empowering local partners.
This post will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will involve travel to East and Southern Africa and to UK (London).
The responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned from time to time that are in line with the level of the role.
Leadership Behaviours
Authentic, consistent, and honest leader.
Actively listens and allows others to be heard.
Adaptable to changing needs, pressures and opportunities.
Empowers others based on their skills and expertise.
Dynamic, inclusive, compassionate, and courageous.
Team Leader
All team members understand their responsibilities and objectives.
All resources involving staff are managed in accordance with BRC policies and procedures.
All staff are kept informed of all relevant organisational plans and updates on development.
Team ideas and comments are communicated and forwarded appropriately.
Team Member
Actively participates in all team meetings.
Supports other team members
Works and behaves in accordance with all BRC policies, procedures and in line with our Values in Action.
Upholds the fundamental principles of the Red Cross and acts with integrity, in accordance with the Society’s values (inclusive, compassionate, courageous and dynamics)
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned from time to time that are in line with the level of the role.
Pre- engagement checks Criminal Records Type of criminal record checks required for this roleEngland and Wales - Disclosure and Baring Service Check (DBS)
None
Scotland
None
Northern Ireland
None
Drivers Checks
No
Person Specification RequirementEvidence obtained through Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or Assessment (A)SIA
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
Educated to Degree level
Sensitivity to cultural diversity
Excellent command (written and spoken) of English
Ability to apply strategy, tools and approaches to the realities of challenging and ever changing political, environmental and institutional context.
Politically aware and astute
Strong relationship/partnership building expertise/skills
Strong mentoring/coaching, facilitation and skills
Excellent communication, writing and interpersonal skills.
Positive and flexible working style
Able to apply confidentiality/discretion.
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Desirable
Masters in Organisational Psychology or similar post-graduate qualification
Formal coaching qualification
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Experience
Essential
Previous extensive work experience in coordinating stakeholders and/or supporting joint programmes with multiple partners.
Extensive work experience in Organisational Development of local civil society organisations, with a demonstrable track record of supporting organisational change and impact.
Demonstrable experience in project/programme/grant management
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IDesirable
Previous experience within the Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement
Previous experience of supporting National Society Development processes within the Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement including familiarity with Organisational Development tools (e.g., OCAC, BOCA and SAF)
Experience of developing Volunteer management systems
Previous experience working in a similar context.
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IValues in Action Dynamic - We move forward as one team. - Every day, we’re adapting, innovating and learning. - When the unexpected happens, we are calm, quick and efficient. - We respond smartly, using clear processes and systems.
Compassionate - We stand for kindness. - People come first, no matter who or where they are. - We have genuine, open-minded conversations. - Together, we’re a united force for good.
Inclusive - We are open to all. - We treat each other with dignity and respect. - Every person’s uniqueness is valued, supported and celebrated. - Our individual backgrounds and experiences make our organisation stronger.
Courageous - We are bold. - We show our strength by doing the right thing. - We aren’t scared to test our creative ideas.
- As humanitarians, we go the extra mile to help people in crisis
Application Procedure Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should send their applications (cover letter and CV) to the link below: https://redcross.applytojob.com/apply/2joNM7xaCK/National-Society-Development-Technical-Lead-East-And-Southern-Africa so as to reach us on or before 1st April 2026.
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
